POY 2015

2015 in photographs: It is often said that photographs have a word value. In fact most of us think that 1000 words equal one image. I have always said that this is wrong. A successful photograph is understood in a split second and 1000 words takes half a page and several minutes to read. This year my Photos of The Year includes coverage of the Chattanooga Shootings in July. I was in Nicaragua when the event happen and got an email from my wife telling me to check the news as soon as I could. I was heartbroken that an event could happen in my home town. Other images include daily life of Central America and images from Utah. I am always humbled by the respect I get from subjects. So, with that here are my visual paragraphs.

Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a ceremony in remembrance of four Marines and a sailor who were killed in attacks at two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 15, 2015. Photo by Billy Weeks

Daly Simmons prays at the entrance to the US Navy Operational Support Center & Marine Corps Reserve Center after a shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, 18 July 2015. Authorities say the shootings at two different locations left four US Marines and the gunman dead. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Tony Hammontree has a quite moment at a make shift memorial at the US Navy Operational Support Center & Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 18, 2015 . The shootings at two different locations left five US Marines and the gunman dead. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Chuck Samsel hangs the Marine and the US Flags at a make shift memorial at the US Navy Operational Support Center & Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 18, 2015 . The shootings at two different locations left five US Marines and the gunman dead. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

People line the streets during a rain storm in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia to pay respects to Navy Petty Officer Randall Smith who was killed in the July 16th shootings on Amnicola Highway. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Chattanooga Unite Tribute Parade brought thousands together on Sept. 16, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The parade ended with a benefit concert held at Ross’s Landing and emceed by Samuel L. Jackson. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

90 year old Maria Elena carries flowers to be placed at the tomb of her son Alfonso who died at age 46. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Maria and her 3-year-old daughter in their dirt floor home in San Jose Yalu, Guatemala. According to the government 7 out of 10 indigenous people in Guatemala live in poverty. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

A lady and her children carry grain for the livestock in San Jose Yalu, Guatemala. 7 out of 10 indigenous people in Guatemala live in poverty. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Cowboy waiting for medical care at a hospital in Cubulco, Guatemala. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Ordains Varela sits near a road in Tannaga, Honduras (Photo by Billy Weeks)

A young boy stands outside of his home in Colorado, Nicaragua. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Michaela and her 2 year old son Samuel sitting in their small home in Guatemala City. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

88 year old Napoleon Rodriguez at his home in Los Llanos Nicaragua. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

60 year old Estebian Moreno plays music at his brother’s home in El Guayabo, Honduras. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

The Delta Queen, a 1920’s style riverboat, left Chattanooga and powered by a tug boat into the Tennessee River Gorge on it way to be restored and based in Cincinnati on March 22, 2015. (Photo By Billy Weeks)

The rocks are wet and slick near the waterfall of Lula Lake. The land trust is open twice a month to hikers and explorers. (Photo By Billy Weeks)

Early morning sunrise produced beams of light in Monument Valley in Utah on Oct. 16th, 2015. (Photo by Billy Weeks)

Early morning sunrise produced beams of light in Monument Valley in Utah on Oct. 16th, 2015. (Photo by Billy Weeks)